5 Key Tips for Working with Transgender Clients
image3

The transgender community experiences a great deal of stigma in our current politicized environment. Service organizations are tasked with creating a respectful and supportive environment for all the clients they serve. That makes it an imperative that health service workers and community organizers understand the best ways to support trans clients.

Here are five tips to help organizations create an environment of trust and respect for transgender clients:

  1. Discuss Pronouns

    Ask the client what pronoun they prefer. Gender is no longer static, so relying on assumptions will not work.

  2. Don’t Assume

    Don’t assume the challenges your transgender clients have to do with their gender identity. Trans people face the same issues your other clients’ face. Start conversations by asking what they’d like to talk about and how you can help.

  3. Be Direct

    Don’t make gender the elephant in the room. It’s likely that your trans clients have faced discrimination, which may lead to distrust of “outsiders.” If you do not identify as transgender, try sharing what inspired you to work with the community or what qualifies you to help.

  4. Build a Network

    Build a transgender-specific network of resources to ensure your referrals will be sensitive to your client’s needs.

  5. Partner With Mentors

    Utilize community superheroes. Are there transgender individuals you’ve worked with or know that could mentor your clients?

Related posts

nonprofit-management-courses-online-2

Advantages of Taking Nonprofit Management Courses Online

Effective leadership is key to success across every industry, but managing a team in a critical field like healthcare – where good leadership is a need-to-have, not a nice-to-have – can feel especially stressful. Leaders must constantly strive to increase their knowledge and expertise, as well as keep up with the latest innovations in an industry that's always changing.

keep reading

blog-photo-edited-2

8 Examples of Capacity Building Activities for Health Service Organizations

What is capacity building, and how can it help your health service organization grow and thrive? Capacity building means more than just an organization's current ability to perform its mission; rather, it impacts a nonprofit's capacity to deliver on goals over time, to expand its capabilities, and to further succeed in its mission or take on more work.

keep reading

Our Mission

Community-based organizations are the change makers of HIV prevention, care, and treatment. How far can we scale our impact? Let's find out together.

Our Staff

C4H has trained 1300+ and co-designed with 120+ community-based organizations and health departments to make waves of change in their communities.

Health Equity

Equity, Sustainability, Cultural Competency, and Social Determinants

Health Equity aims to enable better opportunities for organizations and public health professionals to respond to racial, health, and structural disparities at the local level.

Learn more here

FAQ's

Have a few questions about our organization, team, and/or work? View our FAQ's to find answers.

Outside Resources

Capacity for Health is a capacity building assistance (CBA) provider and have many resources available.